Pierce-Brosnan-and-Emma-Thompson-in-The-Love-PunchThough narrowly – and somewhat unfairly – missing out on an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of P.L. Travers in the brilliant Saving Mr. Banks, British actress Emma Thompson now returns with something a little lighter, but by no means more entertaining, as she stars alongside Pierce Brosnan in Joel Hopkins’ comedy caper, The Love Punch.

Thompson plays Kate, who after waving her daughter off to university, is on the end of a shock visit from her former husband, Richard (Brosnan). Though still on regular speaking terms, spending a lot of time together is something they haven’t done for a good long while – but when Richard claims that a conniving French businessman (Laurent Lafitte) is screwing them both out of their pensions and life savings, they jump on the next place to pay him a visit. As expected, the arrogant tycoon plays hardball, and so the pair are forced to concoct a plan, as – along with their friends Jerry (Timothy Spall) and Penelope (Celia Imrie) – they set their sights on stealing a diamond from his fiancé (Louise Bourgoin) worth millions of pounds.

It wasn’t too long ago we saw Brosnan in Love Is All You Need, another romantic comedy based on the Mediterranean. However that had something so affable and unique about it, and a warmth that has been completely missed with this particular offering. Hopkins has struggled to find that subtlety, and the picture suffers as a result. The problem is, the crux of this story, and the core element, is the romance between Kate and Richard, but it’s one that is exceedingly challenging to emotionally invest in, when dressed up in such grandiose, overstated surroundings.

Hopkins just doesn’t seem to have found that strand of intimacy required, and we drift so carelessly between romance and jewellery heists, and car chases – losing sight of what truly matters. That being said, this film certainly has an audience (you only need to see the box office figures for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to figure that one out), and while certainly flawed, it’s ultimately harmless and does very little to offend, never taking itself too seriously at all. You get a sense that the actors were having a great time making this, and that spirit and joyousness emanates off the screen. The problem is, you get the impression they may have enjoyed themselves somewhat more so than audience might.

It’s remotely touching in parts, and relatively funny in others, though ultimately this misfires on too many occasions, and struggles to stay with you by the time you’ve made your way back home. While there is a sequel planned for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, let’s just sincerely hope that this particular endeavour, though inoffensive, ends abruptly here.

[Rating:2/5]